Nerd Word of the Day archive

ZOOG-muh · noun

zeugma

A figure of speech in which one word, often a verb, connects with two others in different senses.

Where the word comes from

From Greek zeugma, “yoking” or “joining,” from zeugnynai (“to yoke”).

In a sentence

“He lost his coat and his patience in the crowded theater.”

Check the word history

Merriam-Webster dictionary entry for zeugma